TAHLEQUAH DAILY PRESS — Cherokee Nation announced today its decision to assume operations at W.W. Hastings Indian Hospital, which is currently under the umbrella of the Indian Health Service.

Principal Chief Chad Smith promised to create a “comprehensive, integrated health care system” to provide improved care for patients.

“Most other large tribes in the Oklahoma area operate the Indian hospitals in their jurisdictional boundaries,” Smith said. “This has proved effective for improving patient care and reducing waste and redundancy in the system.”

Smiths said in such cases, patients report the health care system is easier to use and confusion over services decreases.

“After months of study and discussion with the Indian Health Service, we have decided integration of the two systems will provide more funding for health care and ultimately more access to high-quality care,” Smith said. “The comprehensive health system will consist of both inpatient and outpatient services at Hastings and the tribally operated clinics.”

Meredith Frailey, speaker of the council and representative for Mayes County, said the planning process has been well-organized.

“We’re taking a good look and analyzing, not just making a quick decision but making the best decision for all Indian people in our area,” she said.

Hastings will continue to receive existing IHS funds, but will also be eligible for grants and joint venture projects that could bring in millions in additional health care funding, Smith said.

“We currently receive more than $30 million in health care grants, and are getting ready to begin our second joint venture project to build a new health care clinic,” Smith said. “As an IHS facility, Hastings isn’t eligible for those programs, but after the Cherokee Nation assumes operations, those funding sources will open up as well.”

During Monday night’s regular tribal council meeting, councilors approved a resolution to seek grant funding for self-governance studies to take over federal programs.

District 1 Councilor Bill John Baker mentioned while he didn’t necessarily agree that taking over the hospital was a good idea, he would support the resolution.

Melissa Gower, who leads the tribe’s Health Services Group, said creating a comprehensive health care system will allow providers to coordinate patient care in new ways.

“A comprehensive health care system also saves money and time by eliminating layers of red tape,” Gower said. “Hiring a doctor might now take days instead of months. The patients’ health information will be more easily shared between the hospital and the outpatient clinics once the systems are integrated.”

Dr. Gloria Grim, medical director for Cherokee Nation, said tribal officials and Hastings staff have been working together to create an integrated system.

“They quickly saw the benefits to our patients of a consolidated medical staff,” Grim said. “The medical staff at W.W. Hastings is top-notch and has excellent ideas to improve patient care through improved patient flow and improved processes. Their enthusiasm is contagious, and we all want to make Hastings and Cherokee Nation Health System the best in the area.”

Patient eligibility would not change if the Cherokee Nation begins operating some or all of the services.

“Anyone who goes to Hastings now will still be eligible to go to Hastings once the services are operated by the Cherokee Nation,” Gower said. “Just like at Cherokee Nation-operated clinics, we will see patients who are members of any federally recognized tribe.”

Gower said the Cherokee Nation wants every employee at Hastings to stay on the job.

“Cherokee Nation wants the patients to have the comfort of knowing that they will be able to see their same trusted physicians, nurses and health care providers,” Gower said. “Every position will become either a federal employee paid for by the Cherokee Nation or a tribal employee.”

Tribes are allowed by federal law to assume operations of hospitals within their jurisdictional area. The Cherokee Nation will assume operations of Hastings around the beginning of the new fiscal year, which is Oct. 1.

For information about the tribe’s health care system, visit the Cherokee Nation web site at www.cherokee.org.